The state capital is bracing up for a tense week with thousands of LDF workers planning to lay a siege to the government secretariat here beginning Monday. The LDF is demanding resignation of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy over the solar panel scam.

Chandy has made massive security arrangements to ensure his government functions and has taken steps to reduce logistic support for agitators. Of the 20 companies of paramilitary forces brought to Kerala,half have been stationed in Thiruvananathapuram. Police said the paramilitary forces would only assist the state police,which would take control of the secretariat area. To prevent the surge of Left workers to the state capital,the government has warned vehicle owners against illegal trips and has reduced the services of state-owned buses. Hotel owners have been asked not to give accommodation to the agitators.

Chandy,meanwhile,expressed his willingness for talks with the LDF,which was later rejected.

The unprecedented measures taken by the Chandy government have drawn criticism from within his own party. Congress legislator K Muraleedharan said deploying paramilitary forces has only contributed to the success of the LDFs agitation.

Though Congress state president Ramesh Chennithala said the party stood behind the government,he made it clear that the party was not consulted about deploying paramilitary forces for controlling political agitation in the state.